The equality watchdog has asked a barrister to examine whether there needs to be a legal right to independent living for disabled people, because of concerns that their rights to choice and control over their lives is being “eroded”.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has asked the lawyer to assess how independent living is currently protected by law and whether “additional protections” are needed.
The commission’s action emerged at an Independent Living Campaign Conference funded by Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC), and organised by DPAC and Inclusion London, with support from members of the Reclaiming Our Futures Alliance (ROFA).
Ellen Clifford, a member of DPAC’s national steering group, who told the conference about the commission’s action, said afterwards that the move was “very positive” and a step towards one of the “key demands” made by disabled people: a right to independent living enshrined in UK law.
An EHRC spokesman told Disability News Service: “We have concerns that rights to independent living are being eroded and the legal opinion we will get back will help inform our position.
“We’ve asked the barrister to assess how independent living is currently protected by law and suggest whether additional protections are needed.”
He said the advice would “help inform our position on a legal right to independent living”.
Only last week, chancellor Philip Hammond failed to provide any new money for social care, or even mention it in his budget speech.
Disabled campaigners are also furious that the government has side-lined the needs of working-age disabled people – and their user-led organisations – from next year’s social care green paper.
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